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No. 42. —Petition of Cashel Mills, of Christchurch. Praying for soldier's widow's pension. I am directed to report that in the opinion qf the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 24th August, 1928. ———

No. 170.—Petition of H. Jones, of Christchurch, and 3,196 Others. Praying for a referendum for immediate total disarmament in New Zealand. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 24th August, 1928.

No. 171. —Petition of J. Turner, of Dunedin, and 4,248 Others. Praying for the abolition of compulsory military training in New Zealand. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 24th August, 1928.

No. 345/27. —Petition of Mary Ellen Rough, of Wellington. Praying for a compassionate allowance for her late husband's service to the Dominion. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 24th August, 1928.

No. 11. —Petition of H. G. Marychurch, of Hamilton. Praying that he be granted the difference between the Imperial rate of pension now being received by him and the amount of the New Zealand tuberculosis pension. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to thin petition. 25th September, 1928.

No. 222.—Petition of Honor King, of Dunedin. Praying for a compassionate allowance owing to loss incurred in nursing her late husband, a returned soldier. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition.

25th September, 1928. — No. 272.—Petition of The Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association. Praying that a retrospective pension and allowances, or rehearing by War Pensions Board, be granted Margaret Boyd, nursing sister, N.Z. Expeditionary Force. I am directed to report that the Minister of Defence be requested to recommend a rehearing of the case of Margaret Boyd by.the War Pensions Board. 25th September, 1928.

No. 222. —Petition of Honor King, of Dunedin (Second Report). Praying for a compassionate allowance owing to loss incurred in nursing her late husband, a returned soldier. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for inquiry. 9th October, 1928.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that the Defence Committee desires to place on record its appreciation of the efficient and impartial manner in which the Chairman, Mr. Potter, has conducted the business of the Committee during the present session ; and further desires that a resolution to this effect be recorded in the minutes of the Committee and be reported to the House. R. P. Hudson, 9th October, 1928. Member of the Committee.

Final Report. I am directed to report that the Defence Committee held its final meeting on the 27th September. During the session the Committee held seven meetings, the average attendance of members at each meeting being six. Eleven petitions were received for consideration, and all of these were duly considered and reported upon. 9th October, 1928. Vivian H. Potter, Chairman.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (450 copies), £2 10s.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l92B.

Price 3d.]

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